Margabandheeshwarar Temple, Virinchipuram, Vellore
Margabandheeshwarar
Temple is a Hindu Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva located at Virinchipuram
Village in Vellore District of Tamilnadu. This beautiful temple is 1300 years
old and is known for its impressive Rajagopurams and sculptures. The temple is
famous for its compound wall (Madhilazhagu) which is exquisite in having minute
stone carvings all around. Presiding Deity is called as Margabandheeshwarar
/ Vazhi Thunai Nathar. Mother is called as Maragathambigai / Maragathavalli.
The
Temple is believed to be sung by many namely Appayya Dikshitar, Tirumoolar,
Pattinathar, Appar, Sambandhar, Arunagiri Nadhar. Arunachala Puranam, Siva
Rahasyam, Brahmanda Puranam, Kanchi Puranam and many other Holy books have
described this temple in their Puranas. This Temple is one of the oldest and
the biggest temple of Vellore district.
Legends
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brief details, please refer below link;
History
The main
shrine of the temple is said to have been built by Rajaraja Chola, Samburvarayar,
the viceroy of Kulothunga Chola. Nandhi Vikrama Pallava, Rajendra Chola,
Parantaka Chola and Vijayanagara kings – Narayana Sambuvarayar, Achutharayar,
Devaraya have all contributed significantly to this temple.
The
Temple
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brief details, please refer below link;
Inscriptions
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brief details, please refer below link;
Temple
Opening Time
The
temple remains open from 6.00 a.m. to 11.00 and 4.00 p.m. to 8.00 p.m.
Festivals
10-day
Brahmmotsavam with flag hoisting and Theerthavari in in Panguni (March-April)
when the presiding deity is taken on a procession in different vahans, last
Sunday in the month of Karthikai (November-December) when over 2000 devotees
will have a dip in Simha tank, Adipooram in July-August. Shivarathri in
February-March, Navarathri in September-October, are the festivals grandly
celebrated in the temple when devotee crowd would be huge. Other festival days
include full moon days, monthly Pradoshams (13th day either from new moon or
full moon days), Amavasya the new moon day, Kruthika star days each month,
Sashti in October-November, Visakam in May-June, Thaipoosam in
January-February, Sankatahara Chaturthi each month (4th day either from new
moon or full moon days), Karthikai deepam in November-December. Special pujas
are performed on Tamil and English new year days, Deepavali and Pongal days.
Literary
Mention
For
brief details, please refer below link;
Prayers
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brief details, please refer below link;
Connectivity
The
Temple is located at about ½ Km from Virinchipuram Bus Stop, 5 Kms from Virinchipuram
Railway Station, 4 Kms from Sethuvalai, 14 Kms from Vellore, 15 Kms from Vellore
Cantonment Railway Station, 17 Kms from Vellore Bus Stand, 19 Kms from Katpadi,
18 Kms from Katpadi Junction, 11 Kms from Pallikonda, 21 Kms from Gudiyattam
and 150 Kms from Chennai.
The
Temple is in the Chennai – Bangalore highway, after Vellore bypass, proceed
till Sethuvalai and turn right for Virinchipuram. The temple is visible from
the main road and is just about 100 meters away. Bus facilities are comfortably
available to devotees from Vellore to reach the temple. Nearest Railway
Stations are located at Katpadi and Vellore. Nearest Airport is located at
Chennai (138 Kms).